Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

Citation: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 23 April

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Thursday, 22 July 2010 6:28 PM EADT

6th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

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el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Fuller Account
Topic: AIF - 2B - 6 LHR

el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Fuller Account

Fuller report of the 6th LHR, AIF.

The Transcription:

To: General Officer Commanding, 2nd Light Horse Brigade

Reference map Qatia Sheet C18

In accordance with instructions received I reconnoitred the country east as far as Ogratina, north east to marshy ground in centre of D3, and south east to Bir el Hamisah.

My reconnaissance was made as follows:-

"A" and "C" Squadrons moved off simultaneously at 0430 the former travelling north east to marshy ground in centre of D3 returning south west via El Rabah to Qatia.

"C" Squadron marched due east via Bir abu Hamra, Hod er Reshafat, Hod er Negiliat to Ogratina returning via Telegram Line to Qatia.

"B" Squadron, less one troop, left camp at 0545 and marched south east to Qatia.

Reports

"A" Squadron

The going for the first five miles was very heavy, afterwards the going was good across the marshy country, and on the return to Qatia found the going very heavy. No sign of Enemy, only Bedouin Camps, in one of three Bedouin Camps clothing, equipment, and a little ammunition was found which was collected and brought in. 20 Bedouins and 6 camels were also brought in, "A" Squadron arriving at Qatia at 1100, the advance party being in touch with Qatia at 1005.

"C" Squadron

The going was heavy throughout except through the Hods. Going through Abu Hamra found one dead mule at intersection of Longitude 45 and Latitude 31. Found empty Turkish cartridge shells behind several small sand hummocks, also one shell case. A considerable number of Bedouins were here and from one I gathered there was a wounded Englishman at Er Rabah. I sent the Medical Officer with a patrol guided by a native and found the body apparently only dead 48 hours. This man was hopelessly wounded and had been cared for by Bedouin women . Continuing I found body of a Turk at eastern end of Hod er Reshafat and another dead Turk and 2 dead camels at Hod en Negiliat. my patrols entered Ogratina camp at 1030 for the south west and northern ends. I found every evidence of a severe fight and tracks of a considerable enemy's force that had come by the Bir el Abd and Qatia road. This force evidently surprised the outpost on all sides of the camp and the outpost appeared to have fought stubbornly, gradually being forced back into the centre of the camp, where signs of a final melee had taken place.

I estimate the English dead at about 70 mainly on the eastern and western end of the camp and in the camp itself. I estimate the Turkish dead at about 30, signs of some having been buried. A great proportion of the English dead were stripped and in every case were the boots removed and the whole camp looted. The only things of value left were three pumps and some piping. I found two wounded Englishmen, Sergeant Pratt of the Worcester yeomanry and Sapper MacCoughley of the Royal Engineers and one wounded Turk who came into the camp after I arrived from a southerly direction. The wounded were in a bad state and I was obliged to man handle the Sergeant all the way to Qatia where "A" Squadron took him over and brought him in to Romani Camp. While there, I buried 12 Englishmen but only found two identification discs. All the dead were in an advanced state of decomposition.

I searched the Hods all round the camp and on the way back to Qatia my patrols searched the ground on either side of the Telegraph Line but found nothing.

Ammunition

I found no enemys' shell cases but a number of bombs. I brought in one Bedouin who had refused to give the wounded water. I left Ogratina at 1245 arriving at Qatia 1600.

Regimental Headquarters and "B" Squadron less one Troop

I found the going rather heavy and reached Qatia at 0830 which I mad my Headquarters. I immediately put patrols all round the camp. I instructed the Officer Commanding "B" Squadron to sent one Troop to Bir el Hamisah.

Copy of Troop Leader's report

I left "B" Squadron at Qatia at 0840. I marched on bearing 210 to Well 12 at Bir el Hamisah. At 0930 I reached the well, I found here the remains of a military camp, there were several tents rolled in bundles and lying on the ground. There were three saddles stripped of girths and stirrup lying on the ground. There were half a dozen bales of tibben, some shovels and rakes. There was also three lengths of canvas troughs, there were intact. There were two pumps with rubber hosing connected. There were three dead horses, one of which was haltered and leg roped to a line. There were seven wells, water rather salty and brackish. There was a system of trenches on the rising ground east of the camp. My patrol went about 500 yards beyond the camp and could not find anything, and finding no wounded or dead, I made no further search, I left well 12 at 1000 and reached Qatia at 1045.

At Qatia camp I found everything looted and evidence of a severe fight having taken place some days previous. The Turks evidently had attacked in a south easterly direction. There were a large number of empty shell cases, 12 pounders, and also a large number of empty small arms (Turkish) cases about. I found 70 dead horses and 48 dead camels, also 3 wounded horses which I destroyed. These were mostly killed by shell fire. The dead bodies were nearly all stripped and were in an advanced stage of decomposition. I buried 33 Englishmen, 6 Turks and one camel driver. The Turks had also buried some bodies before leaving. The trenches at or about the camp was very bad. Evidence of a number of English aeroplane bombs dropped outside the camp, but evidently these bombs had not done any damage, and where they had dropped, no sign whatever of any damage could be traced.

I searched all over the camp but could find no papers of any value. I found two cases of Mark VII ammunition 400 yards west of the camp which I brought in.

Signed: CD Fuller, Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding 6th Light Horse Regiment.

Further Reading:

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Roll of Honour

Citation: el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Fuller Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 6:35 PM EAST

7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

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el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Snow Account
Topic: AIF - 2B - 7 LHR

el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Snow Account

Snow report of the 7th LHR, AIF.

The Transcription:

Qatia Patrol Report, 25 April 1915.

As instructed, I proceeded to Qatia at 0430, which was reached without opposition. I found 6 wounded men, 2 of whom have since died, there are 23 dead. The whole Camp is gutted and 60 horses and 30 camels are dead also, several of the Native Camel Transport drivers are dead, I could only find (1) Identification Disc, the bodies had all been stripped of clothing and Identity Discs (the Soldiers I brought in, state that it was the Bedouins and NOT the Turks who stripped the bodies.) I left Qatia at 0910 and reached the Brigade Bivouac at 1145 without seeing any Enemy.

Notes:

Enemy

When leaving Qatia a Bedouin that had just come in from north east of Qatia states that he had seen Turks in that direction, I could not find out how many or how far away they were.

Soldiers' information

The wounded soldiers state that they had expected an attack, and had stood to arms all night of 22/23 inst., they were shelled for an hour and attacked about 0900 on 23rd inst., the Turks had 4 or 5 Machine Guns and were about (800) Eight Hundred strong, they seem to think that (2) Officers and a number of men and also some wounded were taken prisoner.

Aerial

They state that our own Aeroplanes bombed the Qatia Camp on Monday morning when unoccupied by the Enemy.

Water

There are (2) two wells, 1 of which is quite good drinking water and the other Brackish, supply good.

Soldiers' Information (later)

Colonel Coventry and Lieutenant Gooch of the Worcestershire Yeomanry and another officer of same Regiment surrendered to Enemy. Lord Elcko of Gloucester Yeomanry also surrendered, he was wounded, also Lieutenant Strickland.

The Officer in Command of Enemy was German, there were also Turkish Officers, the force marched away about 350 Infantry and 100 mounted men strong, seemingly regular Troops, they were very keen to get the boots from our dead and wounded.

I hand Identification Disc labelled Lt GH Fox, RFA.

Bir Etmaler

George Snow, Lieutenant, 7th Light Horse Regiment.

Further Reading:

7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Roll of Honour

Citation: el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Snow Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 2:27 PM EAST

2nd Light Horse Brigade, AIF

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el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Ryrie Account
Topic: AIF - 2B - 2 LHB

el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Ryrie Account

Ryrie report of the 2nd LH Bde, AIF.

The Transcription:

To: Anzac Mounted Division, Romani, April 26th 1916.

Report of Lieutenant Snow, Officer Commanding Quatia Patrol.

Report of Lieutenant Snow who took the patrol out to Qatia this morning attached.

It would appear from this that the Enemy had artillery, from a sample of a shell brought in I should say they were using twelve pounders.

He explained that he had not much opportunity of seeing what dead the Enemy had left as he did not get beyond our position and the Turkish dead would probably be 500 yards out. The Medical Officer, Captain O'Hara informs me that he examined two enemy dead and said they were typical Turkish soldiers similar to those at Gallipoli.

There would be no chance of occupying the camp or anywhere near it for a long time as the stench from the dead horses and camels is very bad.

Another patrol of a Squadron went out at midday under Major Sutton in accordance with your G486 with orders to do as much as possible but to return by dusk, another patrol of a Squadron will leave at dawn tomorrow morning to make a more extensive reconnaissance.

Granville Ryrie, Brigadier General, Commanding 2nd Light horse Brigade, Anzac Mounted Division.

Three pay books enclosed herewith, viz:

No. 2931 Private Richard Scholes, "B" Company, 4th Battalion Royal Scots,

No. 92 Private Sidney Corbett, Army Veterinary Corps, Army Mobile Veterinary Section,

No. 2214 Osmund Scorgie, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry.

Identity disc of:

Lieutenant GH Fox, Royal Field Artillery.

Editors Note: Scholes, Corbett, Scorgie appear to have survived their ordeal although sadly Fox is listed in the Roll of Honour.

Further Reading:

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Roll of Honour

Citation: el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Ryrie Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 2:27 PM EAST

5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

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el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Wilson Account
Topic: AIF - 2B - 5 LHR

el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Wilson Account

Wilson account of the 5th LHR, AIF.

The Transcription:

5th Light Horse Regiment, AIF, Dueidar, 26th April 1916.

Report of Operations of Regiment from 22nd to 26th April 1916. (Inclusive)

22 April 1916

Regiment moved from Salhia at 0545 to Kantara by road, arrived 1300. Transport waggons, horses and personnel by rail. I reported to Headquarters 52nd Division and was instructed to proceed to Dueidar next morning, leaving transport at Kantara.

23 April 1916

About 0700 received instructions to send one squadron to report to 155th Brigade at Hill 40, as Dueidar being attacked. At 0800 "C" Squadron moved out under Major Cameron. He reported to Hill 40 to Lieutenant Colonel Leggett who instructed him to march to Dueidar and pursue the enemy who were reported as retiring in a south easterly direction and to endeavour to turn his southern flank and throw the enemy on to the Yeomanry, who it was expected were operating against them from Romani and Katia. "C" Squadron arrived at Dueidar at 1215 at which time a few rifle shots were being fired into the oasis. The Squadron moved out south east at 1230 a distance of 8 miles but did not get in touch with the enemy other than two armed men who were taken prisoners.

The remainder of the Regiment less transport moved from Kantara at 0850 and as instructed reported at Hill 70 to Lieutenant Colonel Leggett. "B" Squadron and the Machine Gun Section remained at Hill 70. "A" Squadron and the Regimental Headquarters came on with Lieutenant Colonel Leggett and two companies of Infantry to Dueidar, "A" Squadron supplying a screen and a right flanking guard of the column. On arrival of the party at Dueidar I was instructed to take all available men and pursue the enemy. "A" Squadron accordingly moved easterly, a distance of 5 miles and subsequently got touch with "C" Squadron on the right. This ("A") Squadron saw no enemy other than two armed unwounded men and one unarmed wounded man - these were taken prisoners. Both Squadrons ("A" & "C") returned to Dueidar at dusk. Numerous recent tracks of camels and men were observed by both Squadrons and it is estimated as representing a force of 500 men. "B" Squadron and the Machine Gun Section left at Hill 70 rejoined the Regiment at Dueidar at about 2000.

24 April 1916

Four patrols of one Officer and 20 Other Ranks each were sent out at 0345, returning after dawn. Four patrols were sent out at 0830 returning shortly after noon. These patrols went out a distance of about 6 miles each, south east, east, east north east, and north east north. The left one gained touch with Railhead - East north east patrol picked up 8 Engineers (Signallers) from Katia. Three patrols were sent out in the afternoon in the same directions, one picked up a wounded Turkish Officer and a camel driver. An Observation Post, signallers attached, was established at dawn on Hill 383, three miles south east of this Post, this post remains there daily from dawn till dusk.

25 April 1916

Similar patrols were sent out as on 24th. One picked up Lance Corporal Slater of the Warwick Yeomanry and 15 camel drivers between here and Katia. Touch obtained with Railhead. Command of this Post handed over to me, Lieutenant Colonel Leggett and 1 Company of the 5th Royal Scottish Fusiliers returning to Hill 40. The Regiment started a communication trench between the Oasis and Main Redoubt. One of the camel transport drivers picked up reported that when he left Katia that morning there were four English wounded soldiers and four wounded camel drivers left there. I telephoned this information to 2nd Light Horse Brigade at Romani and received a reply that they would send a Doctor with a patrol to Katia the following morning. (I was subsequently advised that they did so and recovered 5 wounded English soldiers.)

Three Officers Patrols sent out at 0345 one of which gained touch with Railhead. Four other patrols sent out during the day, one of which reached Bir el Dhaba, 7 miles east of here. A patrol of 7 of Bikanir Camel Corps with one of our Officers moved south a distance of about 8 miles to Hill B2, 10 miles east of Ballah Bunnion. Our Observation Post on Hill 383 is in Heliograph communication with Railhead, Romani, and Hill 70. They could get in touch with Hill B2 if the latter Post had the necessary helio. No enemy has been seen by any of the patrols of this Regiment other than those mentioned above as having been taken prisoner.

Signed: LC Wilson, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 5th Light Horse Regiment.

Further Reading:

5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

Citation: el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Wilson Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 2:28 PM EAST